Russia (bbabo.net), - The head coach of the Russian national team Alexei Zhamnov commented on the defeat of his team in the final of the Olympic hockey tournament against the Finns.
Alexey Zhamnov: I would like to congratulate the Finnish team on their victory at the Olympic Games. The team did well in this tournament. As for our team, probably, something did not work out to the end, what they wanted. In general, the team fought, fought to the end. I am grateful to all the players who took part in the tournament. Not only the main, but also the spare, who were always with us and helped in the atmosphere. Only words of gratitude to all the guys for the preparation and the tournament itself.
Do you continue to work with the national team?
Alexey Zhamnov: Well, yes, I have a contract with the federation, it sort of works. For me this is also important. I would like to continue working with our team, representing the country at the World Championships. What else can you add.
Why do we fail to cope with the Finns at the main tournaments?
Alexey Zhamnov: You know, this is a painful question for all of us. The Finnish national team is a very disciplined team that plays from defense to counterattacks. Breaking this barrier is not easy. Today there was not enough anger in the attack. The Finns give up the perimeter and try to stop everything on a nickel. But any coach will always say, we will think about how to hack.
Maybe it's time for us to take an example from the Finns in terms of stability, consistency in work?
Alexey Zhamnov: This is a different matter. Hockey is changing. This is the first tournament on Canadian venues. There's more fighting for the neutral puck here. The Finns have been using this well in recent years. If we are compared with the Finnish national team, we are adjusting to this hockey. If you don't win the fight, then you won't succeed. And, of course, game discipline is important, this is the fulfillment of a game task throughout the entire game time.
Are you surprised how the Finns played today?
Alexey Zhamnov: I'm not surprised how they played. If you look at all the matches during this tournament, then only the first match turned out to be attacking. And they played tactically. For us it was not a surprise and something new. We did not have enough anger in the attack.
How do you work with your coaching staff. Would you like Ilya Kovalchuk to remain in the position of general manager?
Alexey Zhamnov: I was lucky to have such a coaching staff. Ilya Kovalchuk fully copes with the position of general manager. I would like this team and the general manager to continue working with the national team.
If you rewind time, would you replace someone in this team, if there was such an opportunity?
Alexey Zhamnov: I will answer this way. Everyone who was in the team at the moment, everyone is worthy. There are no questions about them. It's hard to talk about other candidates. Everyone was in the same situation. There were no training matches when you can scrupulously look at the candidates. But all the guys were in the cage and had a good tournament.
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